The Latest Breaking News from David Axelrod

What Vallas, Johnson need to do to win the first mayoral runoff debate

On the eve of the first debate of the mayoral runoff election, the Chicago Sun-Times asked several prominent political strategists and seasoned debate coaches to offer their advice to the two candidates.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 7, 2023

Runoff routes: Vallas and Johnson to map different roads to the mayor’s office

The newly chosen combatants in Round Two of the mayoral sweepstakes are off and running. And with 34.1% of the vote in Round One, Paul Vallas is clearly the front-runner. Experts say Brandon Johnson must reunite progressives and make better inroads with Black voters to beat him,

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 1, 2023

Lightfoot is out, Vallas and Johnson are in — the April runoff

Mayor Lori Lightfoot finished third in Tuesday’s election with 16.89% of the vote, behind former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas at 33.95% and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson with 20.32%.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 1, 2023

Tim Degnan, Daley top gun and state senator, dies at 82

Tim Degnan a trusted point man, was key to Richard M. Daley’s political, policy success. As a lawmaker, he raised funds for the new Comiskey Park to keep the White Sox in Chicago.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 28, 2022

Barack Obama gets a midterm do-over to help boost Democrats

Barack Obama is trying to do something he couldn’t during two terms as president: help Democrats succeed in national midterm elections when they already hold the White House

The Independent UK · Oct 28, 2022

Heidi Heitcamp, new University of Chicago’s Institute of Public Policy boss, is ‘North Dakota nice’

She succeeds David Axelrod. Two things you didn’t know: Heidi isn’t her real first name. And she grew up in a town so small that “my family was one-tenth” its total population.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 14, 2022

Republicans will try to impeach Biden ‘every week’, Adam Kinzinger says

Anti-Trump January 6 committee member warns of likely aggressive tactics if GOP retakes House in midterms

The Guardian - US · Sep 20, 2022

David Axelrod has done 500 episodes of ‘The Axe Files’ and talked with every stripe of politician — here’s what he thinks of the mess we’re in now

CHICAGO — You’ve likely heard this before, or felt it in your bones, but it’s horrifying, debilitating and worth repeating, especially right now, as we head into a political season: At least half of this country hates the other half. According to the Pew Research Center, 75% of Democrats think…

Chicago Tribune · Aug 5, 2022

Democrats split by bid to boost election denier in Michigan Republican primary

Democrats are intervening in Republican primaries, prompting fears the strategy could backfire or promote Trump allies

The Guardian - US · Jul 27, 2022

The Uber campaign: how ex-Obama aides helped sell firm to world

Uber sought access to leaders, officials and diplomats through David Plouffe and Jim Messina, leak shows

The Guardian - UK · Jul 10, 2022